Amazon.com 'not optimistic' about a Hachette book deal

SAN FRANCISCO--Online commerce titan Amazon.com on Tuesday said it doubted that it would soon bury the hatchet with book publisher Hachette.

Negotiations between Hachette and the biggest book seller in the United States over pricing, discounting and other terms for selling works have been unsuccessful. “The two companies have so far failed to find a solution,” Amazon said in a post at an online Kindle forum.

“Though we remain hopeful and are working hard to come to a resolution as soon as possible, we are not optimistic that this will be resolved soon.”

Amazon is pressuring the Hachette Book Group, a subsidiary of French company Lagardere, as the two renegotiate their contract, according to U.S. media reports.

Noticed tactics include delaying delivery of Hachette books and not discounting works handled by the publisher, and suggesting that readers looking for some Hachette titles might enjoy a book from another.

The Culinary Library chooses to publish its book series through Amazon.com rather than Hachette or similar traditional publishers because the relationship is simple but super supportive and author royalties 500% higher. The traditional publishers don't have a bargaining position in our view and are going to be out of business in 10 years if they don't learn to adapt to the demands of the electronic market.